Cossack democracy

Was this democracy preserved pretty much after the Cossacks had been incorporated into the Tzarist armies?

 

Considering that they were a military society, democracy and military discipline is somewhat contradictory. How did they find and equilibrium between the 2?

 

I wouldn't really say that those Russian Cossacks really became "nobles." Those were called "domovitye kazaki" in other words rich Cossacks.

 

In the Ukrainian case, however, it's interesting that a lot of Zaporozhian Cossacks captured land from former Polish aristocrates and declared themselves nobles. The descendants of those Cossacks formed the backbone of Ukrainian "nobility" during the times of Russian empire.

 

Originally posted by Temujin Considering that they were a military society, democracy and military discipline is somewhat contradictory. How did they find and equilibrium between the 2? not necessarily, just because militaries have a hierarchy that doesn't mean you cannot vote your commanders. it happend occasionally throughout history, notably in Medieval/early modern Swiss armies and early Communist armies. democracy and military discipline is definately not contradictory.

Edited by Sarmat12 - 06-Sep-2008 at 04:02

 

The society itself was divides into different social classes aka serfs peasants, free peasants, merchants, city dwellers and nobles, Cossacks were a part of this social hierarchy as a group called "Cossacks". And they were first of all as a whole viewed as a distinctive social group in the Russian society.

 

Moreover, so-called Cossack "nobles", almost never had serfs and also Cossack serfs simply didn't exist.

 

Granting a noble titles to the leaders of Cossack society was a way to provide a "favorable compensation" for the excellent service to the tsar. However, even after acquiring such titles Cossacks as a rule remained within the Cossack group of the Russian social hierarchy.

 

In other words, there was never such a gap between the Cossack atamans who were granted title by the tsars and Cossack commoners as it was between typical Russian nobles and Russian peasants-serfs.

 

The above however relates only to the Russian Cossacks.

 

A large part of Ukrainian Cossacks has in fact become Russian nobility in the very sense of this word. They had acquired numerous land possessiond in Ukraine and after the serfdom was introduced there in the 18th century they became serf owners as well. Just in a couple of decades afterwards they complitely integrated in the nobiliy class of the Russian social hierarchy and even forgot about their Cossack roots.

 

In case of Russian Don and other voiskos it was quite different. Those Cossacks who were granted aristocratic titles by the Russian emperors remained within the Cossack social group. And, usually, what made them different from other Cossacks was rather only that they were more wealthy.

If this was the case, then what really made them still "Cossacks"? They would effectively had been identical to any Russian army officer, only that they commanded a Cossack unit.

 

 

By Atamans Temujin meant the top commanders of different Cossack voiskos. However, middle and lower rank officers were appointed by Cossacks themselfes.

 

Cossacks essentially maintained their own way of life and training. All the Cossack males were trained in warfare including shooting, horse riding, fencing (usinng of shashka and saber), wrestling etc. starting from the age of five.

 

This made them a distinctive military class of people unlike any others in the social structure of the Russian empire.

 

By the end of the 19th century however, there were some reforms made including the introduction of military schools in Don region and other regions were Cossacks lived where Cossacks could acquire more "standard" military education.

 

 

 

 

He was probably, because it is still disputed, the nobleman of Polish - Lithuanian Commonwealh who became the greatest cossack leader in history. Because of his personal problems with other Polish nobleman he initiated great anti-Polish revolt on Ukraine. When was defeated he called Russians for help. In result of his actions Poland lost eastern Ukraine but Russians didnt allowe the Cossacks for independence and their territory was incroporated to Russia. In general its a very interesting story and worth reading.

 

And the answer is yes, he was elected by cossacks for their hetman.